July 17, 2025 • 18 mins
African singer Sonnie Badu is a multiple award winning Gospel singer, songwriter, pastor among other things. He sits down to talk about newest singles and life being an international star and balancing music and personal life.
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sonnie-badu/306425429
Website: https://sonniebadu.com/
Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialSonnieBaduTV/videos
Host: @alexandriaikomoni IG/TikTok
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sonnie-badu/306425429
Website: https://sonniebadu.com/
Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialSonnieBaduTV/videos
Host: @alexandriaikomoni IG/TikTok
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What's of guys is a girl Alexandria A Caamoni in
the studio iHeartRadio with the one and only Sunny Bad.
How are you today, Hey.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Good to see I'm doing well. I'm doing so well.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Yes, you are doing well. We're happy to have you
in studio doing amazing things for really a very long time.
So super excited to talk about everything about your career
and of course what's to come. So let's get started.
You do have a new single. Actually, I want to
back it up just a little bit. I want us
to talk about really just who you are for a
quick second. You are an award winning African gospel singer
(00:33):
and songwriter and you do so many other things for
those who do not know. Right, music, of course is
one of the biggest parts of your career. So you
do have a new single that came out not too
long ago, Island Medley. Tell us more about that as well.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
This new project was focusing on the Caribbean island. You know.
My wife is Jamaican. Yes, we were in bed. I
was like, give me some Medley's and she started singing
it with my little girl, my daughter and Moni and
I'm like, okay, let me put it together and that's
made a great wave all over the Caribbeans and here
(01:06):
in America.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, tell me more about why I decided to really
focus on the Caribbean culture and using those beats, especially
as an African singer. No, your wife's Jamaican, But tell
me more about it.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I have a huge fun base in the Caribbeans, and
I think honoring my wife, I had to do something
for the Caribbean going back to the island and singing
some of their songs. And yeah, I'm glad I did it.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yes, really quickly. We could tell us the backstory about
how you and your wife met.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Oh my God, tell us. Well, it wouldn't be boring
if I said we met out of church, right. But
I was ministering in London, I think, many years ago,
and I well, you know when the Bible say is
watching praye, That's what I did. I was watching and
I was pray. My eyes were open. Yes, but it
was as ministring. I saw this pretty girl. You know,
(01:57):
I'm like, who is this? You know? It was her
gesture or gesture in worship. Yes, that was so attractive
to you could see a genuine heart is worshiping God. Yeah,
and I fell in love with her, and well rest
is history. We have six children.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I love that. I love that. And now she has
the influence on the music, on the inspiration on everything
you did.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
She sings as well. So we have a couple of
tracks together.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
I love that. That's fantastic. Let's talk about some of
your other tracks. Now, you have a huge gospel hit
here in the US called so Says Yes. Tell me
more about that track for those who haven't heard it.
And did you think it would be as big as
it was?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
I had a feeling it was going to be big,
but I didn't know it was going to be that
big in America has over seventy million views on YouTube.
And I think it was in that moment in my
life where I was I was battling between full time
I'm pastoral and enjoyed the road as recording artists, and
(03:05):
I heard God say it's time time for want time
to move into another dimension leading flanks and I that's
when the song came my soul Saysey is wherever. And interestingly,
that song has brought many people to church and they
are now church members because they heard that song and
(03:28):
it it one way or the other. Had a personal
relationship between them and God. They had that personal thing
and they were like, who sang this? And then they
realized he has a church. Oh, he has a church.
And that's how I think eighty percent of my members
came to Rockett. I love it, but it's a song
that even til date, when I sing it, I feel
(03:50):
that that that call from God. So I'm grateful he
gave me.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
That song absolutely, and that church is located here in
Atlanta in Stone Mountain, which is fantastic. Tell me more
about it, because you said, you know there was a
time whether you want to be on the road or
stay to be a pastor. What was that I guess
moment of I want to build this church and grow
the House of God. Like, what was that moment for
(04:14):
you where you realize you needed to really do this.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
If I had not heard from God, I wouldn't have
done it because I was not retiring from music. Matter
of fact, now I'm blending the two recording artists traveling
on the road, being a family man, being a father,
a husband, and a pastor as well. So it was
a tough cough for me. However, God gave me the
(04:40):
plan on how it must be done, hours should go.
So I came in with God's plan, not my plan.
That's why in the song I say, whatever you say,
whenever you want, what moment you choose, whatever you plan,
let your will be done. And so God gave me
the stencil. I'm just walking in God's plan, and his
plan is prof mind you. God doesn't call the perfect,
(05:02):
He perfects the call. So I've had bumps on the road,
I've had a Haye clubs. But once you have a
picture of the future, you have a picture of where
you're going, that encourages you to keep going. Sunday I
preached a message on encouraging yourself. Sometimes you got to
have a picture of your future, and once you have that,
nothing stops you because whatever obstacle comes your way, you're
(05:24):
still looking at the future.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
So let's talk about the future if we can for
a quick set happening later this year. Show in London.
Tell us more about it and what people can expect.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Everything. Sonybody started in London. I lived in London twenty
eight years. My greatest hits Colors of Africa. The whole
album was recorded live in London by Danny Duncan. Danny
Duncan recorded Israel CEC Marvin Sob of course Sonny Bad
So that album became a hit. It was recorded thirteen
(05:56):
years ago and I have not been back to London
for concert for the past thirteen years, so this is
like a homecoming for me and we're we're doing a
concert at the same place I recorded the last one.
So everybody is excited. We're all anticipating what God is
going to do and hopefully we can capture the moment.
(06:16):
That's so of pivotal to.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Me, absolutely so. For people who do want to make
an attendance in London, where should they go for the details?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
If you go to my website Sonnybody dot com or
even bright it's it's going to be there. Social media
is on my page when you time son the blue
ticket on the verified ones, Yeah, it's all on there.
You can purchase the ticket early birds tickets are out
now you should because it's going to be bad. And
(06:44):
then we're off to West Africa Ghana for our yearly
Rhythms of Africa. We've done it twice and it's it's
been phenomenal. So right from London, we're going to the
Motherland and we used to that also as an opportunity
to bring people from the diaspora to come and experience Ghana.
(07:06):
Past two years with taking people from America and it's
been phenomenal. They went to where slave trade started, et cetera.
And it's being a good connection back home with people
from the diaspora as well.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
I love that. Now let's talk about it because I'm
a sake and you are a gunny and correct. So
what is it? How does it feel or what does
it mean to really be able to go back home
in order to do a show like that.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
You know when they say no place like home, m h,
it resonnounced with me because you are Sonny Badu out
there all over the world. Yes, great, but when you
get home, you are received honorably, incrediblie. You know, you
(07:48):
see mothers in the market screaming and singing some of
your songs. You see people selling on the streets singing
and you know, chanting, and that celebrity side you know,
pops up like I hear you. Yes, you you are
super valued and I would not exchange that. It humbles
(08:12):
me and it's just a privilege to walk in those shoes.
So there is always no place like home.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Absolutely, yeah, which is super exciting. You can't wait to
see the response from those shows coming up later this year. Now,
you have been in the music business for quite some
time now, I mean you're doing these big, amazing shows.
You had the hits, you you've gotten the awards, right,
So what would you like to accomplish at this stage
(08:39):
of your career?
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Winning? So winning is my greatest goal.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
This generation is quite different from previous generations, and every
generation has a group of mindsets at births, and this
is a technological mindset where we have to reset ourselves
to connect and communicate people through social media, etc. Some
(09:10):
of us, being old school, are struggling to jump into
that pool. But if you don't jump into it, a
group of people skilled will influence your own. So the
sole winning dimension is not going to the shopping mall
and telling people Jesus is lording. So winning dimension now
(09:31):
as you being that perfect picture of Christ, You representing
Christ for this generation to see that if this is
what your God looks like, then I want to be
a part of it. Because this generation offers everything. There's
nothing you want to show them that they don't know
about or they don't have except Christ. And so I'm
determined to be a living proof that Christ is the
(09:55):
real deal, a live improved by deeds and action. So
it's a different mindsets in this generation. So help me God.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
I love that and you're talking about this generation. I
actually did an interview not too long ago with another
Christian artist you mentioned he feels likes Christianity like them,
excuse me, Gospel music and the subgenres of that is
really about to take the forefront over hoop, over hip hop,
over wrap. What are your thoughts about that and being
able to use gospel and Christian music in order to
(10:25):
reach this current generation.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Africa gospel music is about to take over.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Really tell me more.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Every time there's always a paradigm shift every season, and
it's time for Africa gospel music to take the forefront.
So what you'd realize happening is that a lot of
Africa gospel arties who are now joining getting to the top.
People are just getting to hear about them. It was
a lonely place, you know those times when we were there.
(10:56):
But now everybody singing African gospel songs in their churches
in America. That was rare, That was not common. That
was not the usual. I remember releasing Open the Floodgates.
It did well all over the world. My soul say
years and for some time that was all they were
(11:17):
singing in churches. Now you hear Nathaniel Bassi, you hear Doom, See,
you're hear Joe Mettil, you hear Tim goffrid oh Naga.
You know, I have a very big guy. So Africa
gospel is taking the forefront because some of the rhythms
literally brings all of us together. It takes us back
(11:38):
home to motherland. So it's time for Africa gospel music.
I have to take the center stage.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It's time. It's definitely time. As a Nigerian myself, I
fully support this and I can't wait to see it
continue to flourish. Right, and you're talking about music now,
I'm hoping, you know, we get some new songs out
of you at some point. But I'm just curious to
know who you would like to collaborate with in order
to make amazing African gospel music.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Well, we we've literally done a lot of collaborations with
both American and African gospel artist. Yes, this season is
as a new chapter in our musical journey. We've released
new songs you have. I loved the way you have
Alan Medley. We have a lot of songs coming. In
(12:26):
terms of collaboration, There's a woman called Rebecca Malope. She
is South African, an incredible voice that I still feel
that the American needs to hear. Rebecca has has been
so popular with the African continent and I feel I
think it's on my bucket list to do something with Rebecca.
(12:51):
I so love her ministry. She's been a great blessing
to me. So in the season, I think I want
to bring the old lady back.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
I absolutely love that. That's exciting. Can't wait for that
collaboration whenever it happens. And you were just mentioning, you
know the new singles and some stuff are still coming.
So what can we expect from you in the near future.
As far as music, well.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
God, I'm back into full time touring, full time recording auties.
We did a live recording last year and we've been
releasing the song and singles. Yes, that's the season. You
can't just send an album out, so you got to
release EPs, et cetera. And they are doing so well.
I was able to capture this generation and also come
(13:33):
out of a sound to meet this generation. And that's
where you get on. I love the way. So that's
what we're busy working on. I'm busy putting our toall
dates together just to hit the road because I think
I've been missed.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Yes, okay, now you're doing all this work now with
music and touring and no families a big portion or
a big part of your life. So tell me more
about how you really balance you know, the being a pastor,
being a musician, and you do other things business wise,
and also being a family man and being a dad.
How do you balance it all?
Speaker 2 (14:05):
That's why I said, if God calls you, it makes
you the way and puts everything in place. First of all,
you need the right spouse. Okay, if you want to
fulfill your destiny right and you pick the wrong spouse,
pick as in man, because a man finds as a woman,
you need to be found two different things. So I'm
talking as a man. Now, pick the right spouse. So
(14:28):
automatically God has put whatever you need inside of her.
And one of the things your spouse needs, he your
husband or your wife needs is understanding. If they don't
understand your purpose, if they don't understand why you got
to do what you do. You're going to fail because
then you be frustrated at home. So thank god I
(14:49):
have a great wife who understands what Sonny Badu is
destined to do, and the children have been cultured to understand. However,
I always intend to be a full time present father,
a full time husband as well. So mondays my cooking days.
That's when I serve the family. No matter what I'm doing,
(15:12):
no matter what you're doing, don't call me on Monday.
I'm not going to pick up I'm not going to
speak to anybody. It's for the kids. We go swimming,
we go everything they want to do, and they look
forward to it. Then of course i'm always I make
sure I literally cut down my traveling. Itinery for my family.
(15:33):
And then during the week I'm always home with them,
get home or before I leave to the office, I
make sure they see me, we have a good time,
and then we have conversations and so the balance is there.
Then they're always at church with me, and so they
see what Daddy's doing. You'd see them talking about it,
laying hands on each other and say this is what
daddy does. So I think it's a good upbring, raising
(15:55):
the children how they got to be. And of course
they the British and Americans, so we have the British
culture at home, we are the American culture at home
and the African culture discipline. So I love being very
present in them in my family. And when you see
me and them, you know that this man is under
(16:16):
persinger all around me. They're always all around me, crawling
on me you don't do something, and I love it.
So for the world, that's the celebrity, that's the pastor
for them that's study.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
That's study.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
That's absolutely that is that and that's how I want
it to be.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
It's a beautiful way.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
To But they love they love the celebrity.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
They love my dad.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
They would tell you why did you put me on
your picture? Why didn't you take a picture? Why am
I not on your Instagram. I've done some of the
music video clips and some of them are in Oh God,
you should hear them talking about it.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
But hey, it's the coolest thing when your dad is
pretty famous.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I got to say, I think they enjoy.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Yeah, absolutely well, any last words you want to leave
with the people, anything else coming up that we can
expect from you, there.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Is a paradigm shift, not just in America but all
over the world. And the Bible says the Sons of
Ithaca new times and seasons. We are in a little
bit of a strange time, strange season, but through it all,
God remains faithful. What I want to tell everybody is,
do not lose faith. This is the season God will
(17:24):
even show himself stronger in our lives and our destiny
be encouraged. There's so much going on when you put
the TV on, when you on social media, so many
heartbreaking situations. But God still remains God and everything will
end in praise. Stay safe, take care of yourself, and
love your neighbor as yourself. And I want to say
(17:45):
thank you Alex for having me on your Your mom
is amazing, my beautiful daughter works of iHeart Radio and
you gotta be on that. And I'm very grateful for
having me here in your beautiful studio. I'm grateful.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Call me back again, absolutely, Sonny, but I do we
appreciate you coming in as well. Thank you so much.
Thank you absolutely once again, Alexandria Ikeamoni in the studio
iHeartRadio
What's of guys is a girl Alexandria A Caamoni in
the studio iHeartRadio with the one and only Sunny Bad.
How are you today, Hey.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Good to see I'm doing well. I'm doing so well.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Yes, you are doing well. We're happy to have you
in studio doing amazing things for really a very long time.
So super excited to talk about everything about your career
and of course what's to come. So let's get started.
You do have a new single. Actually, I want to
back it up just a little bit. I want us
to talk about really just who you are for a
quick second. You are an award winning African gospel singer
(00:33):
and songwriter and you do so many other things for
those who do not know. Right, music, of course is
one of the biggest parts of your career. So you
do have a new single that came out not too
long ago, Island Medley. Tell us more about that as well.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
This new project was focusing on the Caribbean island. You know.
My wife is Jamaican. Yes, we were in bed. I
was like, give me some Medley's and she started singing
it with my little girl, my daughter and Moni and
I'm like, okay, let me put it together and that's
made a great wave all over the Caribbeans and here
(01:06):
in America.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, tell me more about why I decided to really
focus on the Caribbean culture and using those beats, especially
as an African singer. No, your wife's Jamaican, But tell
me more about it.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I have a huge fun base in the Caribbeans, and
I think honoring my wife, I had to do something
for the Caribbean going back to the island and singing
some of their songs. And yeah, I'm glad I did it.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yes, really quickly. We could tell us the backstory about
how you and your wife met.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Oh my God, tell us. Well, it wouldn't be boring
if I said we met out of church, right. But
I was ministering in London, I think, many years ago,
and I well, you know when the Bible say is
watching praye, That's what I did. I was watching and
I was pray. My eyes were open. Yes, but it
was as ministring. I saw this pretty girl. You know,
(01:57):
I'm like, who is this? You know? It was her
gesture or gesture in worship. Yes, that was so attractive
to you could see a genuine heart is worshiping God. Yeah,
and I fell in love with her, and well rest
is history. We have six children.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I love that. I love that. And now she has
the influence on the music, on the inspiration on everything
you did.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
She sings as well. So we have a couple of
tracks together.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
I love that. That's fantastic. Let's talk about some of
your other tracks. Now, you have a huge gospel hit
here in the US called so Says Yes. Tell me
more about that track for those who haven't heard it.
And did you think it would be as big as
it was?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
I had a feeling it was going to be big,
but I didn't know it was going to be that
big in America has over seventy million views on YouTube.
And I think it was in that moment in my
life where I was I was battling between full time
I'm pastoral and enjoyed the road as recording artists, and
(03:05):
I heard God say it's time time for want time
to move into another dimension leading flanks and I that's
when the song came my soul Saysey is wherever. And interestingly,
that song has brought many people to church and they
are now church members because they heard that song and
(03:28):
it it one way or the other. Had a personal
relationship between them and God. They had that personal thing
and they were like, who sang this? And then they
realized he has a church. Oh, he has a church.
And that's how I think eighty percent of my members
came to Rockett. I love it, but it's a song
that even til date, when I sing it, I feel
(03:50):
that that that call from God. So I'm grateful he
gave me.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
That song absolutely, and that church is located here in
Atlanta in Stone Mountain, which is fantastic. Tell me more
about it, because you said, you know there was a
time whether you want to be on the road or
stay to be a pastor. What was that I guess
moment of I want to build this church and grow
the House of God. Like, what was that moment for
(04:14):
you where you realize you needed to really do this.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
If I had not heard from God, I wouldn't have
done it because I was not retiring from music. Matter
of fact, now I'm blending the two recording artists traveling
on the road, being a family man, being a father,
a husband, and a pastor as well. So it was
a tough cough for me. However, God gave me the
(04:40):
plan on how it must be done, hours should go.
So I came in with God's plan, not my plan.
That's why in the song I say, whatever you say,
whenever you want, what moment you choose, whatever you plan,
let your will be done. And so God gave me
the stencil. I'm just walking in God's plan, and his
plan is prof mind you. God doesn't call the perfect,
(05:02):
He perfects the call. So I've had bumps on the road,
I've had a Haye clubs. But once you have a
picture of the future, you have a picture of where
you're going, that encourages you to keep going. Sunday I
preached a message on encouraging yourself. Sometimes you got to
have a picture of your future, and once you have that,
nothing stops you because whatever obstacle comes your way, you're
(05:24):
still looking at the future.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
So let's talk about the future if we can for
a quick set happening later this year. Show in London.
Tell us more about it and what people can expect.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Everything. Sonybody started in London. I lived in London twenty
eight years. My greatest hits Colors of Africa. The whole
album was recorded live in London by Danny Duncan. Danny
Duncan recorded Israel CEC Marvin Sob of course Sonny Bad
So that album became a hit. It was recorded thirteen
(05:56):
years ago and I have not been back to London
for concert for the past thirteen years, so this is
like a homecoming for me and we're we're doing a
concert at the same place I recorded the last one.
So everybody is excited. We're all anticipating what God is
going to do and hopefully we can capture the moment.
(06:16):
That's so of pivotal to.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Me, absolutely so. For people who do want to make
an attendance in London, where should they go for the details?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
If you go to my website Sonnybody dot com or
even bright it's it's going to be there. Social media
is on my page when you time son the blue
ticket on the verified ones, Yeah, it's all on there.
You can purchase the ticket early birds tickets are out
now you should because it's going to be bad. And
(06:44):
then we're off to West Africa Ghana for our yearly
Rhythms of Africa. We've done it twice and it's it's
been phenomenal. So right from London, we're going to the
Motherland and we used to that also as an opportunity
to bring people from the diaspora to come and experience Ghana.
(07:06):
Past two years with taking people from America and it's
been phenomenal. They went to where slave trade started, et cetera.
And it's being a good connection back home with people
from the diaspora as well.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
I love that. Now let's talk about it because I'm
a sake and you are a gunny and correct. So
what is it? How does it feel or what does
it mean to really be able to go back home
in order to do a show like that.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
You know when they say no place like home, m h,
it resonnounced with me because you are Sonny Badu out
there all over the world. Yes, great, but when you
get home, you are received honorably, incrediblie. You know, you
(07:48):
see mothers in the market screaming and singing some of
your songs. You see people selling on the streets singing
and you know, chanting, and that celebrity side you know,
pops up like I hear you. Yes, you you are
super valued and I would not exchange that. It humbles
(08:12):
me and it's just a privilege to walk in those shoes.
So there is always no place like home.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Absolutely, yeah, which is super exciting. You can't wait to
see the response from those shows coming up later this year. Now,
you have been in the music business for quite some
time now, I mean you're doing these big, amazing shows.
You had the hits, you you've gotten the awards, right,
So what would you like to accomplish at this stage
(08:39):
of your career?
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Winning? So winning is my greatest goal.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
This generation is quite different from previous generations, and every
generation has a group of mindsets at births, and this
is a technological mindset where we have to reset ourselves
to connect and communicate people through social media, etc. Some
(09:10):
of us, being old school, are struggling to jump into
that pool. But if you don't jump into it, a
group of people skilled will influence your own. So the
sole winning dimension is not going to the shopping mall
and telling people Jesus is lording. So winning dimension now
(09:31):
as you being that perfect picture of Christ, You representing
Christ for this generation to see that if this is
what your God looks like, then I want to be
a part of it. Because this generation offers everything. There's
nothing you want to show them that they don't know
about or they don't have except Christ. And so I'm
determined to be a living proof that Christ is the
(09:55):
real deal, a live improved by deeds and action. So
it's a different mindsets in this generation. So help me God.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
I love that and you're talking about this generation. I
actually did an interview not too long ago with another
Christian artist you mentioned he feels likes Christianity like them,
excuse me, Gospel music and the subgenres of that is
really about to take the forefront over hoop, over hip hop,
over wrap. What are your thoughts about that and being
able to use gospel and Christian music in order to
(10:25):
reach this current generation.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Africa gospel music is about to take over.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Really tell me more.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Every time there's always a paradigm shift every season, and
it's time for Africa gospel music to take the forefront.
So what you'd realize happening is that a lot of
Africa gospel arties who are now joining getting to the top.
People are just getting to hear about them. It was
a lonely place, you know those times when we were there.
(10:56):
But now everybody singing African gospel songs in their churches
in America. That was rare, That was not common. That
was not the usual. I remember releasing Open the Floodgates.
It did well all over the world. My soul say
years and for some time that was all they were
(11:17):
singing in churches. Now you hear Nathaniel Bassi, you hear Doom, See,
you're hear Joe Mettil, you hear Tim goffrid oh Naga.
You know, I have a very big guy. So Africa
gospel is taking the forefront because some of the rhythms
literally brings all of us together. It takes us back
(11:38):
home to motherland. So it's time for Africa gospel music.
I have to take the center stage.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It's time. It's definitely time. As a Nigerian myself, I
fully support this and I can't wait to see it
continue to flourish. Right, and you're talking about music now,
I'm hoping, you know, we get some new songs out
of you at some point. But I'm just curious to
know who you would like to collaborate with in order
to make amazing African gospel music.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Well, we we've literally done a lot of collaborations with
both American and African gospel artist. Yes, this season is
as a new chapter in our musical journey. We've released
new songs you have. I loved the way you have
Alan Medley. We have a lot of songs coming. In
(12:26):
terms of collaboration, There's a woman called Rebecca Malope. She
is South African, an incredible voice that I still feel
that the American needs to hear. Rebecca has has been
so popular with the African continent and I feel I
think it's on my bucket list to do something with Rebecca.
(12:51):
I so love her ministry. She's been a great blessing
to me. So in the season, I think I want
to bring the old lady back.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
I absolutely love that. That's exciting. Can't wait for that
collaboration whenever it happens. And you were just mentioning, you
know the new singles and some stuff are still coming.
So what can we expect from you in the near future.
As far as music, well.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
God, I'm back into full time touring, full time recording auties.
We did a live recording last year and we've been
releasing the song and singles. Yes, that's the season. You
can't just send an album out, so you got to
release EPs, et cetera. And they are doing so well.
I was able to capture this generation and also come
(13:33):
out of a sound to meet this generation. And that's
where you get on. I love the way. So that's
what we're busy working on. I'm busy putting our toall
dates together just to hit the road because I think
I've been missed.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Yes, okay, now you're doing all this work now with
music and touring and no families a big portion or
a big part of your life. So tell me more
about how you really balance you know, the being a pastor,
being a musician, and you do other things business wise,
and also being a family man and being a dad.
How do you balance it all?
Speaker 2 (14:05):
That's why I said, if God calls you, it makes
you the way and puts everything in place. First of all,
you need the right spouse. Okay, if you want to
fulfill your destiny right and you pick the wrong spouse,
pick as in man, because a man finds as a woman,
you need to be found two different things. So I'm
talking as a man. Now, pick the right spouse. So
(14:28):
automatically God has put whatever you need inside of her.
And one of the things your spouse needs, he your
husband or your wife needs is understanding. If they don't
understand your purpose, if they don't understand why you got
to do what you do. You're going to fail because
then you be frustrated at home. So thank god I
(14:49):
have a great wife who understands what Sonny Badu is
destined to do, and the children have been cultured to understand. However,
I always intend to be a full time present father,
a full time husband as well. So mondays my cooking days.
That's when I serve the family. No matter what I'm doing,
(15:12):
no matter what you're doing, don't call me on Monday.
I'm not going to pick up I'm not going to
speak to anybody. It's for the kids. We go swimming,
we go everything they want to do, and they look
forward to it. Then of course i'm always I make
sure I literally cut down my traveling. Itinery for my family.
(15:33):
And then during the week I'm always home with them,
get home or before I leave to the office, I
make sure they see me, we have a good time,
and then we have conversations and so the balance is there.
Then they're always at church with me, and so they
see what Daddy's doing. You'd see them talking about it,
laying hands on each other and say this is what
daddy does. So I think it's a good upbring, raising
(15:55):
the children how they got to be. And of course
they the British and Americans, so we have the British
culture at home, we are the American culture at home
and the African culture discipline. So I love being very
present in them in my family. And when you see
me and them, you know that this man is under
(16:16):
persinger all around me. They're always all around me, crawling
on me you don't do something, and I love it.
So for the world, that's the celebrity, that's the pastor
for them that's study.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
That's study.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
That's absolutely that is that and that's how I want
it to be.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
It's a beautiful way.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
To But they love they love the celebrity.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
They love my dad.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
They would tell you why did you put me on
your picture? Why didn't you take a picture? Why am
I not on your Instagram. I've done some of the
music video clips and some of them are in Oh God,
you should hear them talking about it.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
But hey, it's the coolest thing when your dad is
pretty famous.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
I got to say, I think they enjoy.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Yeah, absolutely well, any last words you want to leave
with the people, anything else coming up that we can
expect from you, there.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Is a paradigm shift, not just in America but all
over the world. And the Bible says the Sons of
Ithaca new times and seasons. We are in a little
bit of a strange time, strange season, but through it all,
God remains faithful. What I want to tell everybody is,
do not lose faith. This is the season God will
(17:24):
even show himself stronger in our lives and our destiny
be encouraged. There's so much going on when you put
the TV on, when you on social media, so many
heartbreaking situations. But God still remains God and everything will
end in praise. Stay safe, take care of yourself, and
love your neighbor as yourself. And I want to say
(17:45):
thank you Alex for having me on your Your mom
is amazing, my beautiful daughter works of iHeart Radio and
you gotta be on that. And I'm very grateful for
having me here in your beautiful studio. I'm grateful.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Call me back again, absolutely, Sonny, but I do we
appreciate you coming in as well. Thank you so much.
Thank you absolutely once again, Alexandria Ikeamoni in the studio
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